Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, where scores of soldiers and civilians were reportedly killed and more than 300 residents abducted.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday night, has raised fresh concerns about security in Nigeria’s North-East, a region that has battled insurgency for over a decade.
In a video circulating on social media, a group of five armed men said they carried out the assault and vowed to remain in the community. The men, who spoke in Hausa, also claimed they planned to celebrate the upcoming Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the central mosque in Ngoshe.
Ngoshe is a rural community in Gwoza Local Government Area, located close to the mountainous border between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Residents said the attack began late at night and continued for several hours, causing panic among villagers who tried to flee for safety.
Witnesses reported that the attackers stormed the community in large numbers, targeting both civilians and security personnel stationed in the area.
According to residents, several houses were burnt and many people were forced to abandon their homes during the raid.
The attackers reportedly killed many villagers and soldiers before abducting hundreds of people, including women and children.
Local sources estimated that more than 300 residents were taken away during the attack.
In the video seen online, one of the armed men spoke on behalf of the group and claimed responsibility for the assault.
He said the attackers had succeeded in capturing the town and intended to remain there.
“In the name of Allah, the most merciful and most beneficial. We thank God Almighty for helping us succeed in our mission in Ngoshe,” he said.
“People in this town said we cannot conquer Ngoshe. With the help of God, we have already conquered the town.”
The man also claimed that the group intended to make Ngoshe part of its territory and would celebrate Eid-el-Fitr prayers in the town after the end of Ramadan.
He further said many residents were abducted during the operation.
According to him, the group planned to enslave some of those taken away.
The attackers also threatened to expand their activities to other parts of the country, including Maiduguri and Abuja.
Along with the statement, the attackers released disturbing videos from the scene of the attack.
The videos reportedly showed violent acts against residents, including the killing of men, women and children.
The circulation of such videos has sparked anger and concern among Nigerians on social media, with many calling for stronger action against terrorist groups operating in the region.
Eyewitnesses said the attack continued for several hours before Nigerian troops responded.
The air component of Operation Hadin Kai, the military task force responsible for fighting insurgency in the North-East, later carried out air operations in the area.
Residents said military aircraft arrived and carried out strikes that forced the attackers to retreat into nearby forests.
The Mandara Mountains, located near the Nigeria–Cameroon border, are known to provide hiding places for armed groups operating in the region.
The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed that the attack took place.
He said security agencies were still gathering information about the exact number of casualties and those abducted.
“Although some unknown number of civilians yet to be ascertained were also affected or killed, some are still missing and probably some were abducted and taken towards the Mandara Mountains,” Daso said.
He added that investigations were ongoing and that security forces were working to track down the attackers.
Borno State has been the centre of insurgency in Nigeria for more than a decade.
Armed groups operating in the region have repeatedly attacked villages, military bases and government facilities.
Thousands of people have been killed since the conflict began, while millions have been displaced from their homes.
The Nigerian military has carried out several operations over the years to weaken the insurgents and reclaim territory previously controlled by them.
However, attacks on rural communities still occur, particularly in remote areas close to forests and mountainous borders.
The latest attack on Ngoshe has renewed concerns about the safety of communities in Borno and other parts of the North-East.
Local leaders and residents have called for stronger security presence in vulnerable communities.
Many villagers in the region depend on farming and small-scale trade, but insecurity has made daily life difficult.
Humanitarian groups have also warned that continued violence could worsen the already serious humanitarian situation in the region.
